"Give me a really good first line,
something I can sink my teeth into, that just pulls me in and makes me want to read more. For me, a really great first line raises a question in my mind, or, better yet, two or three, where I just have to read the book to find out.
A good first line gives me context about the story and lays a roadmap for where we're going."
Jennifer March Soloway
Senior Agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency
During an interview on the Writers with Wrinkles podcast
January 2024
Welcome! I'm so glad you stopped by.
I hope you find this collection of picture book first lines inspiring and motivational.
If you'd like your book included in a future collection, click here.
Elements of a great first line
introduces the main character and their problem (bonus points if the character is particularly unusual)
makes the reader wonder something
sets the tone for the story
starts in the middle of the action
hints at a universal theme
uses unique formatting
sets the scene of the story
hints at how the story will end
engages the reader
engages multiple senses
surprises the reader
makes the reader laugh
establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader into the story
employs poetic devices
references a beloved classic
hints at an unusual premise
introduces the concept
references something with universal appeal
uses a play on words
makes the reader feel something
hints at the main character's goal
Breath by Breath
words by Stephanie Wildman, art by Estefania Razo
Published by Lawley
First line: “Okay, Flor and Roberto,” big brother Luis began. “Let’s show Mama and Papa we can go to sleep all by ourselves.”
Elements used: introduces main characters and their problem, makes the reader wonder something, hints at a universal theme, hints at how the story will end, hints at the main characters' goals.
First Line Revision Journey
I wanted to write a book around a body scan that parents could use to help children wind down for bedtime, or really for anytime. I tried many drafts and first lines, but nothing was working.
One early version began:
"Start by stretching your hands up high above your head and your toes all the way away from your head."
Meh, right?
Breath by Breath is my third picture book with Lawley Publishing. The second book, Treasure Hunt, introduced big brother Luis and the twins Flor and Roberto.
When Treasure Hunt came out, I asked
the publishers, Carrie Turley and Lara Law, if they would be open to a second book that had these same characters and that used a body scan. They were enthusiastic but reminded me the book would need to tell a story. I realized a big brother helping the twins get to sleep might provide the story springboard that the body scan needed. Many bodies, after all, have two arms and two legs. Having twins provided some playful elements for the scan.
An early draft using this idea read:
“Okay, Flor and Roberto,” big brother Luis began. “Let’s show Mama and Papa we can go to sleep when they aren’t here.
The change to the final version emerged between the second and third round of edits. Besides being one word shorter, “all by ourselves” sounds positive and upbeat compared to “when they aren’t here,” which has a negative, downer ring to it.
Final Version:
“Okay, Flor and Roberto,” big brother Luis began. “Let’s show Mama and Papa we can go to sleep all by ourselves.”
Ice Bears at Ice Edge
Words by Robert Burleigh, art by Wendell Minor
Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers
First line: It is March in the cold North.
Elements used: establishes the setting of the story
Skyscraper Babies
Words by April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre, art by Juliet Menendez
Published by Godwin Books
First line: Skyscraper babies grow high.
Elements used: Surprises the reader and introduces an unusual setting
The Promise
Words by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams, art by Cinzia Battistel
Published by Kar-Ben
First line: In a village called Al-Azan, in the golden land of Morocco, there lived two friends.
Elements used: established the setting of the story
I SHIP: A Container Ship's Colossal Journey
Words by Kelly Rice Schmitt, art by Jam Dong
Published by Millbrook Press
First line: Made of stell, colossal, strong, I ship around the world.
Elements used: introduces an unusual main character and engages multiple senses
Julie and the
Mango Tree
Mango Tree
Words by Sade Smith, art by Sayada Ramdial
Published by Feiwel and Friends
First line: Julie lived on a tiny island called Jamaica, which has so many fruit trees, it would be impossible to count them all.
Elements used: introduces the main character, establishes the setting of the story, and makes the reader feel something
My Cousin's Mermaid
Words by Anna Staniszewski, art by Ewa Poklewska-Kozietto
Published by Barefoot Books
First line: When Mama and I arrive at my aunt’s building, it’s taller than I remember.
Elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something
The Voice in the Hollow
By Will Hillenbrand
Published by Holiday House
First line: To Hubert CUmberbun, a good story was everything.
Elements used: introduces the main character and references something with universal appeal
On the Edge of the World
By Anna Desnitskaya
Publisehd by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
First line: Hi, I’m Lucas, and I live in Chile.
Elements used: introduces the main character and establishes the setting of the story
The NIGHT TENT
By Landis Blair
Published by Margaret Ferguson Books
First line: Watson couldn’t sleep.
Elements used: introduces the main character and his problem and makes the reader feel something